Form of Stock Option Agreement 2013 Equity Incentive Plan

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the VirnetX Holding Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement, including the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice of Grant”) and the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A (all together, the “Agreement”).

 

Participant has been granted an Option to purchase Common Stock of VirnetX Holding Corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, as follows:

 

	Grant Number
	Date of Grant	«Grant_Date»
	Vesting Commencement Date	«VCD»
	Number of Shares Granted	«Number_of_Shares»
	Exercise Price per Share	$«Price_Per_Share»
	Total Exercise Price	$«Exercise_Price»
	Type of Option	_____ Incentive Stock Option
		X  Nonstatutory Stock Option
	Term/Expiration Date	«Expiration_Date»
	Vesting Schedule:

«VestingSchedule»

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the vesting of the Shares subject to the Option shall be subject to any vesting acceleration provisions contained in the Plan and/or any employment or service agreement, offer letter, change in control severance agreement, or any other agreement that has been or is, after the date of this Agreement, entered into between Participant and the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate (such agreement a “Separate Agreement”).

 

Termination Period:

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Separate Agreement:

 

If on the date of grant, Participant was (a) a member of the  Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) or (b) an employee of the Company that was designated by the Board as an “officer” for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (a “Section 16 Officer”), this Option will be exercisable for twelve (12) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death, Disability, or Cause.

 

If on the date of grant, Participant was a Service Provider to the Company but was not a Section 16 Officer or a member of the Board, this Option will be exercisable for thirty (30) days after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death, Disability, or Cause.

 

If Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, this Option will be exercisable for six (6) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.

 

If Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Participant’s death, or in the event of Participant’s death within one (1) month following the date Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, this Option will be exercisable for twelve (12) months from the earlier of the date of Participant’s death or the date Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.

 

If Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of Participant’s termination for Cause, this Option will immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.  In the event Participant’s status as a Service Provider is suspended pending investigation of whether such status shall be terminated for Cause, all of Participant’s rights under this Option, including the right to exercise this Option, shall be suspended during the investigation period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above and may be subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 15(c) of the Plan.

 

By Participant’s signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document.  Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Agreement.  Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Agreement.  Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

 

PARTICIPANT		VIRNETX HOLDING CORPORATION
Signature		By
«Name»
Print Name		Title
Address:

1.    Grant of Option.  The Company hereby grants to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant (the “Participant”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan will prevail.

 

(a)            For U.S. taxpayers, the Option will be designated as either an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”) or a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).  If designated in the Notice of Grant as an ISO, this Option is intended to qualify as an ISO under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d) it will be treated as an NSO.  Further, if for any reason this Option (or portion thereof) will not qualify as an ISO, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a NSO granted under the Plan.  In no event will the Administrator, the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate, or any of their respective employees or directors have any liability to Participant (or any other person) due to the failure of the Option to qualify for any reason as an ISO.

 

(b)            For non-U.S. taxpayers, the Option will be designated as an NSO.

 

2.    Vesting Schedule.  Except as provided in Section 3, the Option awarded by this Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Shares scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain condition will not vest in Participant in accordance with any of the provisions of this Agreement, unless Participant will have been continuously a Service Provider from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting occurs.

 

3.    Administrator Discretion.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Option at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan.  If so accelerated, such Option will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator.

 

4.    Exercise of Option.

 

(a)    Right to Exercise.  This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Agreement.  In the event Participant’s status as a Service Provider is suspended pending investigation of whether such status shall be terminated for Cause, all of Participant’s rights under this Option, including the right to exercise this Option, shall be suspended during the investigation period.

 

 

(b)    Method of Exercise.  This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Exercise Notice”) or in a manner and pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine, which will state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise Notice will be completed by Participant and delivered to the Company.  The Exercise Notice will be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares together and of any Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 6(a)).  This Option will be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by the aggregate Exercise Price.

 

5.    Method of Payment.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price will be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

 

(a)    cash or check;

 

(b)    cancellation of indebtedness;

 

(c)    at the discretion of the Administrator on a case by case basis, if Participant is a U.S. employee, surrender of other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares, provided that accepting such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company; or

 

(d)    consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan;

 

6.    Tax Obligations.

 

(a)    Withholding of Taxes.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, no certificate representing the Shares will be issued to Participant, unless and until satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Administrator) will have been made by Participant with respect to the payment of income, employment, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant (“Tax-Related Items”) which the Company determines must be withheld with respect to such Shares.  If Participant is a non-U.S. employee, payment of Tax-Related Items may not be effectuated by surrender of other Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of any Tax-Related Items.  To the extent determined appropriate by the Company in its discretion, it will have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any Tax-Related Items by reducing the number of Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant.  If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any required Tax-Related Items hereunder at the time of the Option exercise, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver the Shares if such amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.  Further, if Participant is subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company and/or Participant’s employer (the “Employer”), or former employer, as applicable, may be required to withhold or account for tax in more than one jurisdiction.

(b)    Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares.  If the Option granted to Participant herein is an ISO, and if Participant sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the later of (i) the date two (2) years after the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one (1) year after the date of exercise, Participant will immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition.  Participant agrees that Participant may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Participant.

 

(c)    Code Section 409A.  Under Code Section 409A, an option that vests after December 31, 2004 (or that vested on or prior to such date but which was materially modified after October 3, 2004) that was granted with a per share exercise price that is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) to be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant (a “Discount Option”) may be considered “deferred compensation.”  A Discount Option may result in (i) income recognition by Participant prior to the exercise of the option, (ii) an additional twenty percent (20%) federal income tax, and (iii) potential penalty and interest charges.  The Discount Option may also result in additional state income, penalty and interest charges to Participant.  Participant acknowledges that the Company cannot and has not guaranteed that the IRS will agree that the per Share Exercise Price of this Option equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant in a later examination.  Participant agrees that if the IRS determines that the Option was granted with a per Share Exercise Price that was less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant, Participant will be solely responsible for Participant’s costs related to such a determination.

 

7.    Rights as Stockholder.  Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant.  After such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

8.    No Guarantee of Continued Service.  PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT, SUBSIDIARY, OR AFFILIATE EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT) AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY (OR THE PARENT, SUBSIDIARY, OR AFFILIATE EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT) TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

 

9.    Nature of Grant.  In accepting the Option, Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

 

(a)    the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;

 

(b)    the grant of the Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted in the past;

 

(c)    all decisions with respect to future option or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

 

(d)    Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

 

(e)    the Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

 

(f)    the Option and Shares acquired under the Plan and the income and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

 

(g)    the future value of the Shares underlying the Option is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

 

(h)    if the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;

 

(i)    if Participant exercises the Option and acquires Shares, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease in value, even below the Exercise Price;

 

(j)    for purposes of the Option, Participant’s engagement as a Service Provider will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s engagement agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or determined by the Administrator,             (i) Participant’s right to vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or Participant’s engagement agreement, if any, unless Participant is providing bona fide services during such time);  and (ii) the period (if any) during which Participant may exercise the Option after such termination of Participant's engagement as a Service Provider will commence on the date Participant ceases to actively provide services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is employed or terms of Participant’s engagement agreement, if any; the Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of his or her Option grant (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence);

 

(k)    unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Option and the benefits evidenced by this Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Option or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor to be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and

 

(l)     the following provisions apply only if Participant is providing services outside the United States:

 

(i)

the Option and the Shares subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose;

 

(ii)

Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company, the Employer, or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between Participant’s local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Option or of any amounts due to Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon exercise; and

 

(iii)

no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option resulting from the termination of Participant’s engagement as a Service Provider (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s engagement agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of the Option to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company, any Parent, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate or the Employer, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Company, any Parent, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate, and the Employer from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

 

10.    No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares.  Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

 

11.    Data Privacy.  Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Agreement and any other Option grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Employer, the Company and any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.

Participant understands that the Company and/or the Employer may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or any other entitlement to stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.

Participant understands that Data will be transferred to a stock plan service provider as may be selected by the Company in the future, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipient’s country (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country.  Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative.  Participant authorizes the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purposes of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative.  Further, Participant understands that he or she is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis.  If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke his or her consent, his or her engagement as a Service Provider and career with the Employer will not be adversely affected; the only adverse consequence of refusing or withdrawing Participant’s consent is that the Company would not be able to grant Participant Options or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards.  Therefore, Participant understands that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of Participant’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

 

 

12.    Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Agreement will be addressed to (a) the Company at VirnetX Holding Corporation, 308 Dorla Court, Suite 206, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448 and (b) the Company’s Stock Transfer Agent, Carylyn K. Bell, at Corporate Stock Transfer, 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, CO  80209 or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

 

13.    Non-Transferability of Option.  This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant.

 

14.    Binding Agreement.  Subject to the limitation on the transferability of this grant contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

15.    Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock.  If at any time the Company will determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, qualification or rule compliance of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or foreign law, the tax code and related regulations or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the purchase by, or issuance of Shares to, Participant (or his or her estate) hereunder, such purchase or issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, rule compliance, consent or approval will have been completed, effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  The Company will make all reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of any such state, federal or foreign law or securities exchange and to obtain any such consent or approval of any such governmental authority or securities exchange.  Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares will be considered transferred to Participant on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

 

16.    Plan Governs.  This Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions of the Plan.  In the event of a conflict between one or more provisions of this Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.  Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

17.    Administrator Authority.  The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Shares subject to the Option have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

18.    Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to Options awarded under the Plan or future options that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

19.    Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

20.    Language.  If Participant has received this Agreement, or any other document related to the Option and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

 

21.    Agreement Severable.  In the event that any provision in this Agreement will be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

22.    Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Option under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.

 

23.    Governing Law and Venue.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of Nevada, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.  For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this Option or this Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada, and agree that such litigation will be conducted in the courts of Douglas County, Nevada, or the federal courts for the United States for the District of Nevada, and no other courts, where this Option is made and/or to be performed.

 

24.    Modifications to the Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Code Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A of the Code in connection with the Option.

 

25.    Waiver.  Participant acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by Participant or any other Participant.

 

1.            Exercise of Option.  Effective as of today, ________________, _____, the undersigned (“Purchaser”) hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock of VirnetX Holding Corporation (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement, dated ________  and including the Notice of Grant and the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant (all together, the “Agreement”).  The purchase price for the Shares will be $_____________, as required by the Agreement.

 

2.            Delivery of Payment.  Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price of the Shares and any Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 6(a) of the Agreement) to be paid in connection with the exercise of the Option.

 

3.            Representations of Purchaser.  Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

 

4.            Rights as Stockholder.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares so acquired will be issued to Purchaser as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

 

5.            Tax Consultation.  Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares.  Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

 

6.            Entire Agreement; Governing Law.  The Plan and Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.  This Exercise Notice, the Plan and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of Nevada.